Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent angina (heart-related chest pain). It belongs to a class of medicines known as calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload of the heart. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to treat your condition. Your doctor may adjust the dose depending on how you respond to this medicine and your blood pressure levels. You can take it at any time of the day, with or without food, but it is best to take it at the same time each day. Take this medicine as soon as you have taken it out of the packet. It is sensitive to light and may not work properly if it is left out of the pack for too long.

Keep taking it for as long as advised by your doctor. Even if you feel well, do not stop this medicine on your own because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse.

Keeping active with regular exercise, reducing your weight, and eating a healthy diet will also help control your blood pressure. Follow your doctor’s advice while taking this medicine.

The most common side effects include fatigue, edema (swelling), dizziness, unusual heartbeat (palpitations), flushing, constipation, and headache. Consult your doctor if any of these bother you, or do not go away.

Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any heart, liver, or kidney problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You also need to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions. Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it can significantly decrease your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy or light-headed. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that this medicine is working properly.

Uses / Indications

• Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
• Prevention of Heart attack
• Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Prevention of Stroke

BENEFITS OF NICARDIA TABLET SR

In Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain)

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This means that more oxygen gets to your heart and reduces the risk of getting chest pain (angina). This medicine should not be used to treat chest pain which is already happening. It is used to prevent or reduce the frequency of angina attacks. This medicine needs to be taken regularly as prescribed for it to work effectively. So, it is important to keep taking it even if you feel well and have no symptoms.

In Prevention of Heart attack

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR helps lower your blood pressure and make it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a heart attack. It can also reduce the risk of dying if it is given immediately after a heart attack. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.

In Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, or kidney problems in the future. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well. Take regularly, as prescribed for this medicine to be most effective, even if you feel better.

In Prevention of Stroke

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR reduces the risk of future strokes. It helps lower your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a stroke. Take it as advised by the doctor to get the maximum benefit.

SIDE EFFECTS OF NICARDIA TABLET SR

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Headache
• Peripheral edema

Pregnancy Interaction

Nicardia Retard 20mg Tablet SR may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.

Expert Advice

It is very common to have dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling ankles/feet, flushing, or a headache as a side effect. To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if it worsens (for example, your blood pressure readings remain high or increase, chest pain continues or worsens). Inform your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, fainting. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

HOW TO USE NICARDIA TABLET SR

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW NICARDIA TABLET SR WORKS

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is a calcium channel blocker. In high blood pressure, it normalizes the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the pressure on them, thereby improving the blood flow in the body. The enhanced blood flow in the body further relaxes the heart muscles by reducing the workload on the heart. It also improves the oxygen flow to the heart, thereby, preventing any heart-related chest pain.

Medicine Interaction

Nicardia Retard with Chlorthalidone|Nicardia Retard with Rosuvastatin|Nicardia Retard with Lithium|Nicardia Retard with Roxithromycin|Nicardia Retard with Clarithromycin|Nicardia Retard with Ritonavir|Nicardia Retard with Clobetasol|Nicardia Retard with S-Amlodipine|Nicardia Retard with Ketoconazole|Nicardia Retard with Prednisolone|Nicardia Retard with Hydrocortisone|Nicardia Retard with Hydrochlorothiazide|Nicardia Retard with Lercanidipine|Nicardia Retard with Betamethasone|Nicardia Retard with Fosphenytoin|Nicardia Retard with Furosemide|Nicardia Retard with Posaconazole|Nicardia Retard with Cilnidipine|Nicardia Retard with Itraconazole|Nicardia Retard with Cilostazol|Nicardia Retard with Indapamide|Nicardia Retard with Benidipine|Nicardia Retard with Azithromycin|Nicardia Retard with Primidone|Nicardia Retard with Indinavir|Nicardia Retard with Pitavastatin|Nicardia Retard with Rifampicin|Nicardia Retard with Clotrimazole

Interactions / Warnings

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. Please consult your doctor.